Trekker‘s Perspective

I was ready for an experience that was life altering, unique, adventurous, and included learning about a new culture while doing good globally. As a female traveling alone, I wanted to make sure I was safe and secure while traveling abroad. Trekking for Kids provided me with exactly all that I was looking for and more! I met many new, interesting life-long friends from around the globe that I am still in contact with. And dancing with the kids at the orphanage party will be a lifetime lasting memory. Since returning from Thailand, I have decided to pursue my Masters in Public Health in hopes of one day working with the Peace Corps. This experience not only satisfied my curiosity, it opened up new ways to challenge myself. Thank you Trekking for Kids for opening up my world!

Gina Giambruno, California
Thailand Trek 2011

Trip Report: Thailand Trek 2011 - Golden Triangle

Trekking for Kids successfully completed its Thailand Trek 2011: Golden Triangle. FourteenTrekkers raised $33,700, surpassing the goal of $25,000 by almost 30%! One hundred percent of the donations benefitted Warm Heart Children’s Center in Phrao. The money was used to build and furnish a new “green” dormitory, using a mud/cob technique that will house 10 new girls next spring, expand and furnish the kitchen and eating area to accommodate the additional children, build the foundation of another dormitory for boys, to be built in the coming months, and help with educational expenses for the new children.

Before and after the work at Warm Heart, TFK participants forged streams, slept in bamboo huts, and experienced the life of a hill tribe dweller on the trek through the jungle highlands of northern Thailand. At the Golden Triangle, a side-trip to Burma and a long-boat ride to Laos completed the three-country adventure.

As always, a highlight was taking all 22 children on a much-anticipated field trip to Chiang Mai. Thanks to TFK’s Charity Partner, Sony Pictures, the children were able to enjoy their first experience in a theater with a private screening of the Smurfs. A pizza lunch and a visit to the famous Doi Suthep temple finished the day. Finally, as also has become our tradition, we all danced, ate and celebrated our final night together attended by, not only the children, but also by neighbors and friends.

On behalf of Trekking for Kids, Warm Hearts and the Thailand Trekkers, thanks for trusting us and for supporting us in our efforts in Thailand!